Saturday, August 3, 2013

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Improve Your Financial Position This Summer

This post was brought to you by Shay Quincy

With the economy only recently showing signs of improvement, it’s worthwhile remaining vigilant when it comes to your finances. Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can stay on top of your money, whether that means getting a credit card with a better deal or just cutting your expenses in general. Why not see if some of the following tips can help you?

Stop unnecessary payments
Are you guilty of signing up to an expensive gym contract, with the best intentions of attending regularly but failing to do so? If that’s the case then look to cancel it as soon as possible as the monthly fees can soon add up. The same applies to any subscriptions you have, so think about whether you can do without them and check your bank statement for any outgoings you are uncertain of, as it can be easy to forget what you’re buying.

Find a good credit card deal
It’s always useful to have a little extra cash available for a rainy day, but make sure you compare credit cards to find the right product for you, rather than settling for the first one you come across. Think about how you plan to use your plastic and try to find a preferential rate of interest, because in the event you aren’t able to repay your balance in full one month this will help to keep costs down.

Stay within your limits
If you’re approved for a credit card the lender will give you a credit limit. Be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully as exceeding this amount is likely to trigger an additional fee. Of course, the same can also apply to your bank account, so why not make a habit of regularly checking your balance using online banking?

Bank online
If you’ve not already signed up for online banking, then now might be the right time to do so. If you’re not currently the most organized financially and your busy lifestyle makes it seem difficult to do so, then this might be the way to make a change. Gone are the days where you need to call the bank to check your balance or make a payment, as it’s possible to do all this online. If you’re a smartphone user then it might be easier still because many banks now offer dedicated apps, letting you handle your account on the move.

Do you have any tips for improving your personal finances to add to this list?